EastEnders fans divided as a familiar face returns in iPlayer episode - and they're not alone
The Hawkins family are back - and Nicola isn’t the only one they know on the Square!
EastEnders welcomes back three familiar faces in today’s early iPlayer episode as Nicola’s extended family crash back into Walford.
Gemma, who isn’t afraid to make a big entrance, first arrived to see her sister, Nicola, earlier this month. She also brought younger sister Jodie and their mum, Rose, along for the ride.
But while Nicola was pleased to see her siblings, there’s no love lost between her and Rose.
It has been revealed that Nicola and Rose haven’t seen eye-to-eye since Nicola’s dad died in a drink-drive accident, which Rose blames Nicola for.
And although Gemma and Jodie know their older sister and mum don’t get along, they don’t know the full extent.
The Hawkins family arrive
Today, Gemma and Jodie return to Albert Square, this time with Gemma’s son Ryder in tow.
The trio rub Kat and Alfie up the wrong way by almost running them over and knocking down the pub sign.
But the real reason the family have arrived is soon revealed when Gemma asks Nicola if they can move in for three weeks.
Nicola puts her foot down at first, telling her sisters and nephew that Ivy is a tricky baby. But when they ‘book’ themselves into a grotty hostel, she eventually caves in and agrees to let them stay.
Rose returns to EastEnders – to Nicola’s horror
However, that offer soon changes when her husband, Ned, also rocks up in Walford. He has Nicola’s mum, Rose, with him and it turns out that Gemma has lied about the fact their mum was staying elsewhere.
Nicola is fuming to see her mum and tells her that she’s not welcome under her roof. Rose is her usual icy self towards Nicola and eventually books herself a room at Peacock Palace. Meanwhile, Harry offers Ryder and Jodie somewhere to sleep at his.
However, Gemma and Ned manage to avoid sleeping in the back of their van when it turns out that Ned knows Alfie from the past.
The pair greet each other like old friends, leaving Kat and Gemma, who have already clashed at the bar, baffled.
Eventually, Alfie offers Gemma and Ned a blow-up mattress on their living room floor, much to Kat’s horror, and Nicola is stunned when she walks into the pub and discovers her family are sticking around.
EastEnders fans are torn over Rose…
While Nicola isn’t happy about having everyone so close, fans are torn over the new family…
“I’m loving Ned already, and Gemma is as chaotic as ever. The feud between Rose and Nicola will be interesting to watch!” said one fan on X.
Someone else was full of praise for Rose… “It’s early days still, but so far I’m loving Rose!”
However, some viewers weren’t quite so sure… “Rose has come to Walford straight from hell!” said one fan.
Someone else added: “I found the new family a bit full on. Hopefully once they’ve settled in, they’ll calm down a bit.”
A third said: “Rose is horrible, hated her from the get-go!”
